Manufacture of metal tubes or the like.



' H. REINHARD. MANUFACTURE OF METAL TUBES OR THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED OUT. 30, 1908. Patented Apr. 18,

4 SHEETS-EIIEET 1.

H. REIN HARD. MANUFACTURE or METAL TUBES OR THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 30, 1908. Patented Apr. 18,

4 8HEET5-SHEET 2.

. REINHA H RD.

MANUFACTURE or E AL mass on THE LIKE.

- APPLIOATI ILED OCT. 30, 1908.

Patented Apr. 18,

. 4 SHEET H. REINHARD. MANUFACTURE or METAL TUBES OR THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED OUT. 80, 1908. Patented Apr. 18

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UNITED srnrns PATENT OFFlCE.

HENRY REI NHARD, 0F ASTON, BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND, ASSIGNQB TO TUBES LIMITED, 0]? ASTON, BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 18, 1911.

Application filed October 30, 1908. Serial No. 460,359.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY REIN'HARD, a subject of the King of Great Britain and Ireland, and residing at Catharine Street, Aston, Birmingham, in the county of War wick, England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in and Relating to the Manufacture of Metal Tubes or the Like, of which. the following is a specification.

This invention relates to the method of and apparatus for the piercing of metal billets in the manufacture of metal tubes or the like ,described in Letters Patent of the United States No. 908,329.

The object of this invention is to obtain an improved piercing mill.

The invention consists in a process and apparatus for piercing, having hydraulic, screw and hydraulic, screw, or other suit-able means for feeding, and if desired, rotating the metal over a mandrel; rolls such as pilger rods for acting circumferentially' on the metal; and auxiliary means acting so as to assist the end of the piercing, to position the bloom on the mandrel or to withdraw the mandrel from the bloom. v y

The invention also consists in the improved arrangements hereinafter described.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 shows in part sectional elevation' a mill according to one form of my invention. Fig. 2 is a plan View partly in section of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an elevation partly in section of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 shows in plan view corresponding to Fig. 2 a modified feeding'arrangement. Figs. 5 and 6 are views on an enlarged scale of a concentrically grooved or breaking down roll and a pilger roll respectively. Figs. 7 and 8 show end views of the feed arrangements at the left and right ends of Fig. 1 respectively. Figs. 9 and 10 show in detail a releasing nut for allowing the metal to be worked to the end. Figs. 11 and 12 show in part sectional elevation and plan respectively the mandrel and tube standards and guides when tubes are made in one operation in the Figs. 13, 1 1, are details of the guide blocks; Fig. 15 an end view of the mandrel guide. Figs. 16 and 17 show in elevation and plan respectively a bench for use in conjunction with the mill.

In carrying the invention into effect in the form illustrated the billet, a, is acted roll axles. It is a property of concentricall grooved rolls that obviously they can attac the metal at any part of their circumference with equal effect and therefore no such means are required in their case. During the time the billet is not being acted on by the rolls it is fed forward by a hollow screwed spindle, f, which has inside it a small ram, g, which centers the billet at the back end and assists to rotate and feed the metal, in conjunction with the hollow spindle, through a suitable guide, 71.. If desired this guide, A, may be rotated through gearing i, in order to prevent the bloom selzing in the guide. On the front end of the spindle projections, 72-, are formed which also help to rotate the billet. As soon as the inner ram. 9, is fed right up to the mandrel, m, the ram is released from the hollow spindle and the ram being relatively pushed backon any further advance of the spindle-this hollow spindle is enabled to push the billet right over the mandrel head or plug, 01.. By this means feeding to the extreme end of the billet is assisted.

In the form shown: more particularly in Fig. 2 the ram, g, has at one end a bayonet catch, 0, which is released by the feed causing the hollow spindle, f, to travel forward after 9 comes in contact with n. This arrangement may be replaced by a spring nut device as shown inFigs. 9 and 10, wherein the nut 77, on the screwed spindle, f, and the ram, 9, normally rotate together being connected by the spring lever 9, until at a suitable time the end of this lever is pressed, when the outer spindle, f, rotates and travels forward withoutthe ram, 9. The rotation of the screwed spindle, g, is effected as in the Letters Patent referred to above namely through gearing, r, and the feeding forward by the segmental nut, s, as" shown more particularly in Fig. 8. If desired a screw nut feed such as this may be assisted by a suitable mechanical means such as a hydraulic gui e, t, to which the back end of the hollow screwed spindle f, is attached in any suitable way to allow of its rotating. It will be obvious that when the segmental nut is not in position or if a plain rotating spindle be used feeding forward can take place by means of the ram alone. The intermittent feed from continuous power may be ob-' tained through a s ring coupling, u as in the patent referred to above; and further as therein shown the feed can be controlled 'by raising or lowering the segmental nut, 8.

' With reference to the back of the mill, in the form illustrated the mandrel head or plug, 12., is fastened to a mandrel bar, '0, the back end of which is-held in a socket, w, by any suitable means in a small hollow shaft, w, on which shaft is ke ed a gear wheel, z, (Figs. 1. and 7) driven or example as in the billet feedin arrangements referred to above. The s aft w, is carried in a sliding bracket, y,-to which is connected a mechanical means such as a hydraulic ram, 1, for removing the whole arrangement forward. Thus the mandrel bar, '0, and plug, '22, can be rotated in the same direction as the billet and so assist the turning when the billet is near the end of its travel in order to assist the end of piercing. Means for assisting the end of the piercing process--so far as feeding is concerned-have been referred to above. A spring coupling 2, is also introduced as described in the feeding arrangements; If desired a mandrel guide, the type of which may vary according to the length of mandrel in use may be used.

Inthe form shown in Figs. 11 to 15 a mandrel guide and carrier more particularly a pli'cable to a long mandrel is illustrated.

uch is especially useful when piercing and finished or partially finished rolling is performed in one mill at one heat. It is a property of piercing mills as herein described that with pilg'er rolls suflicient reduction of metal can be obtained to give a finished tube in one operation either from a solid bloom or a bloom previously pierced with a very small hole for the purpose of centering. With concentric rolls the reduction practically possible is only sufficient to give finished tubes in one operation when thic walled tubes are required.

Referring now to Figs. 11 to 15 the mandrel rod, m, of any convenient length is supported centrally to the billet about to be pierced, by means of a series of guides. The guidesof which there may be any convenient .number, are arranged at about equal distances along the mandrel rod. The front guide-consists of a throat piece 40 (Fig. 1) which fits around the mandrel rod, and is carried in a holder 55. The piece 40 may be split in' half as' shown in Fig. 13, so that when pushed out of the holder 55, the two ran? 8 attached for example to a sliding halves will fall to the round or maybe in one piece as shown in F internal diameter of the piece is slightly larger than the outside diameter of the tube, so that when the 'tubein the case of the divided form-opens the piece 40 it will take its place in the holder 55, and be supported centrally, thus also sup orting the mandrel rod and head central y. The remaining guides 41, 42, 43,- 'and 44 in the form shown are not similar to the first guide althou h such could be used arranged to allow t e removal of tube and mandrel, but.consist of a bottom and top portion. In the form shown the top part is fixed and the bottom movable; but this is not essential, as the necessary support could be obtained if the upper guide, neither guide or both guides were movable. The top portion is simply a guide 52 having a semi-circular holecut in it of a sllghtly lar er diameter than the outside diameter of the tube. This-portion 52, is fixed firmly to a standard 50. The bottom portion consists of a fork 53, pivoted at 46 to standards '50 and 54, containing a roller 45, grooved similarly to the groove in the 1g. 14. The smallest top portion 52. A weight '47, is attached these guides, when it will rest on the bottom roller and just fit in the top groove. These top guides also help to keep the mandrel rod from bending the billet being expanded against the mandrel head. When the opera- Tthe mandrel rod m, until it comes to one of tion is over, the end of the tube is still firmly held on the mandrelhead. The tube and mandrel are therefore drawn for example by means of the ram, 1, right through the throat piece 40, the extracting stop 48,

is then dropped, fitting around the mandrel head, the rear end of the tube being ahead of it. The ram 1, is then pushed forward. and as the tube isheld by the stop 48, the mandrel head is pushed clear from the end of the tube. Thus the tube or pierced o'r pilgered billet is positioned on the mandrel as is useful for example when" the same is to be treated in a draw bench as described later with reference to Fi 16 and 17. The ram is then again with rawn, and the bottom portions of the guides 41', 42, 43 and 44 are all swung forward on their pivots 46,

thus lowering the rollers 45, by means of the lever 51, or any other suitable arrangement. The mandrel and tube can now be lifted off the rollers and removed on the side opposite to that on which the top portions 52, of the guides 'are" fixed. .The tube can then be draw bench as hereinafter described -the rod is then replaced, and the lever 51, being released, the weights .47, swing the rollers slipped off the mandrel rod or taken to a 7 through the hollow metal, thus withdrawlng which is then pushed rightthrough the rolls 45, to "their normal position. The ram is then pushed forward thus bringing the mandrel head, n, to its .working position, and the halves of the divided throat-piece 40-are slipped in the holder 55, thus placing the mandrel centrally. Any other suitable form of roller or throat piece guides may be used without departing fro'm this invention. Also sizing rolls may beprovid'ed if desired for example as shown in Figs. 16 and 17 referred to below.

If desired after the piercing or piercing and rolling operation is complete the hollow billet may be held and the hydraulic ram may withdraw the mandrel and plug right the mandrel from the pierced or pilgered bloom. Fu rther, if desired the relative stripping of tube and mandrel may take place in a bench as shown by way of example in Figs. 16 and 17, in which sizing'or finishing rolls also are used. In this form, after themandrel head, mhas been pushed out of the end of the tube and the mandrel rod and tube lifted from the guides 41, 42, 43 and 44, as described above the mandrel rod and tube on it are removed to the bench. On this bench are arranged sizing rolls 59, which may take any suitable form, the front pair being driven. In the form illustrated two horizontal and two vertically mounted rolls are used, one pair preferably the latter being driven from pulley 10 at a suitable speed corresponding to that of thebench chain,

The head, n, of the mandrel rod, m, is passed through the hole 57 in the plate 64;, of the carrier 61, and is securely attached to the end of the bench in a slotted member 58, or by any other suitable means. The sizing rolls are arranged at, such a distance from this end 58, that when the mandrel rod m, is attached thereto, the other head 56 (Fig. 17) mounted on the mandrel rod rests in the sizing rolls 59. This head, or plug, 56, is of such a length that both pairs of rolls may roll the tube over it simultaneously. It may either be swelled all along its length, or only where the rolls act. The catch 60 on the carrier is then pressed into the chain 11, of the bench, and the plate 64 on the carrier slides along the mandrel rod till it comes into contact with the tube,

and so rolled over the plug 56. Just before the plate 64 comes into contact with the first pair of rolls, the pin 62 on the carrier catch 60 is arranged to press upon the inclined stops 63 and is so raised, thus raising catch 60 and stopping the carrier. The feed is now taken up by the driven rolls in this case the front pair of rolls, which carry the remainder of the tube right over the mandrel head 56. 1 Any other suitable form of automatic catch for the release of bench carrier 61 may -draulic or other means described herein, or

any other suitable driving arrangement used for rotating the spindle or mandrel.

Having now described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is z. -1. The method of piercing a mass of metal in order to form a lon itudinally apertured article and to enable high speed working to be obtained which consists in feeding a blank in one direction toward and against a mandrel sufficiently to cause a piercing action to take place; then subjecting it to reducing pressure operating longitudinally upon the outer portion of the part of the blank subjected to the piercing action, the point of application of the pressure progressively traveling relative to the mandrel in the direction of feed of the blank and at a rate of speed relative to the mandrel equal to the rate of elongation of the blank due to the pressure and at the time the same is taking place; and feeding the mandrel forward after thecompletion of the piercing so that the head clears the tube in order that the latter may be readily stripped; as set forth.

2. The method of piercing a solid mass 0 metal in order to form a longitudinally apertured article and to enable high speed working to be obtained which consists in feeding a blank in one direction toward and against a mandrel sufliciently to cause a piercing action to take place; then subjecting it to reducing pressure operating longitudinally upon the outer portion of the part of the blank subjected to the piercing action, the point of application of the pressure progressively traveling relative to the mandrel in the direction of feed of the blank and at a rate of speed relative to the mandrel equal to the rate of elongation of the blank due to the pressure and at the time the same is taking place; and rotating the mandrel between the forging actions toward the end of the piercing for the purpose of turning the metal and assisting the end of the piercing process; as set forth.

3. The method of piercing a solid mass of metal in order to form a longitudinally apertured article whichconsists in feeding the blank in one direction toward and against a mandrel sufliciently to cause a piercing action to take place, said mandrel having a piercing head and a body portion adjacent thereto, and then subjecting the blank to reducing pressure operating longitudinally upon the blank and adjacent to the body portion of the mandrel, the point of appl cation of the ressure progressivegly travehn relative to the mandrel in the irection 0 feed ofthe blank and ab e rate of speed relative to the mandrel gat-ion of-the blank ue to the pressure and at the time the same is taking place, the length of the mandrel body being equal, at least to the elongation of the a ertured article due to the pressure; an feeding the mandrel forward after the completion of the piercing so that the head clears the tube in order that the latter may be readily stripped; as set forth.

4. The, method of piercing a solid mass of metal in order to form a longitudinally aper- -tured article which consists in feeding the blank in one direction toward and against 'a mandrel sufliciently tocause a piercing action to take place, said mandrel having a piercing head and a body portion adjacent thereto, and then subjecting the blank to reducing pressure operating longitudinally upon the blank and adjacent to the body portion of the mandrel, the point of application of the pressure progressively traveling relative to the mandrel in the direction of feed of the blank and at a rate of speed relative to the mandrel equal to the rate of elongation of the blank due to the ressure and at the time the same is taking p ace, the length of the mandrel body being equal, at least, to the elongation of the apertured article due to the pressure; and rotating the mandrel between the forging actions toward the end of the piercing for the purpose of turning the metal and assisting the end of the piercing rocess; as set forth.

5; The met 0d of piercing a solid mass of metal in order to form a longitudinally apertured article hich consists in feeding the blank in one irect'ion toward and against a mandrel sufficient to cause a piercing action to take place, and then sub'ecting it'to a rollin action operating longitudinally upon the b ank thepoint of application of the rolling pressure progressively traveling relative to the mandrel in' the direction of feed of the blank and at a rate of speed relative to the mandrel equal to the rate of elonga tion of the blank due to the rolling-action and at the time the same is taking place;

and then feeding the mandrel forward after the completion of the piercing so that the head'clears the tube in order that the latter may be readily stripped; as set forth.

- I 6. The method of piercing a solid mass of metal in order to form a longitudinally apertured article which consists in feeding the blank in one direction toward and against a mandrel-suflicient to cause a piercing to take place, and then subjecting it to ual to the rate of elonand at the time the same is takin a rolling action operating -lon 'tudinally upon the blank, the point of apffiication of the rolling pressure progressive y' travelin relative to the mandrel in the direction 0 feed of the blank and 'at a rate of speed rela-' tive to the mandrel equal to the rate of elongation of the blank due to the rolling action place;

and rotating the mandrel between t e forging actions towardthe end of the piercin for the purpose of turning the metal an assisting the end of the piercing process; as set forth.

7. The method of piercing a solidmass of metal in order to form a longitudinally apertured article which consists in feedin the blank in one direction toward and against a mandrel sufficient-to cause a piercing action to take lace, saidm'andrel having a piercing head and a body portion adjacent thereto and then subjectin it to a rolling action operating longitudinally upon the blank and adjacent to the body portion of the mandrel, the point of application of.the rollingpressure progressively traveling relative to the mandrel 1n the dis rection of feed of the blank and at a rate of speed relative to the mandrel equal to the rate of elongation of the blank due to the rolling action and at the time the same is taking place, the length of the mandrel body being equal at least to the elongation of, the

tube due to the rolling action; and feeding the mandrel forward after the completion of the piercing so'that the head clears the tube in order that the latter may be readily stripped; as set forth.-

8. The method of piercing a solid mass of metal -in order 'to form a longitudinally apertured article which consists in feedin the blank in one direction toward an against a mandrel sufficient to cause a piercing action to take place, said mandrel having a piercing head and a body portion adjacent thereto and then sub'ectlng it to a rolling action operating longitudinally upon the blank'and adjacent to the body portion of the mandrel, the pointof application of the rolling pressure progressively traveling relative to the mandrel in the direction of feed of the blank and at a rate ofspeed relative to the mandrel equal to the rate of elongation of the blank due tothe rolling action and at the time the same is taking place, the length of the mandrel body being equal at least to the elongation of the tube due to the rolling action; and rotating the mandrel between the forging actions-toward the end of the piercing for the purpose of turning the metal and assisting the end of. the piercing process; as set forth.

9. Means for piercing a mass of metal for forming a tube or the like comprising rotatable housings, rolls mounted in said housings, a piercing mandrel disposed in front of 'said rolls, power means dis osed behind said rolls for the purpose of foroing the metal on to the mandrel, said means including a hydraulic ram together withascrcwed rod connected therewith and a nut for feeding said rod forward in addition to the hydraulic feed; as set forth.

10. Means for piercing a mass of metal for forming a tube or the like comprisin rotatable housings, rolls mounted in sai housings, a piercing mandrel disposed in front of said rolls, and power means disposed behind said rolls for the purpose of forcing the metal on to the mandrel, said means including a hollow rod and an inner rod adapted for rel'ativemotion with relation to the outer rod for the purpose of allowing the metal blank to be worked to the end, together with power means disposed in front, of said rolls for the purpose of operating the mandrel by forcing the mandrel head through the tube; as set forth.

11. Means for piercin a metal bloom for forming a tube or the li e comprising rotatable housings, rolls mounted in said housings arranged to operate on the bloom longitudinally, a mandrel disposed in front of said rolls, a bloom guide situated behind. said rolls, gearing for rotating said guide and power means for feeding the bloom through the ide; as set fort 12. Means or piercing a metal bloom for forming a tube or the like comprisin rotatable housings, rolls mounted in sai housings arranged to operate on the bloom longitudinally, a mandrel disposed in front of said rolls, a bloom guide situated behind said rolls, together with power means for feeding the bloom through the guide and power means disposed in front of said rolls for feeding the mandrel through the tube; as set forth.

13. In means for the piercing of metal blooms for the formation of a tube or the 'like in combination a hydraulic ram and" a screwed spindle directly connected to said ram as by a slidin bracket, together with a segmental nut or the screwed rod so that both hydraulic and screw feeds may be employed in combination or the hydraulic ram may quickly move the screwed rod on the release of the segmental nut; as set forth.

14. Means for piercing a metal bloom comprising a piercing mandrel, power feedmg means situate behind the bloom for feeding the bloom to the mandrel, rolling means situate near the mandrel for rolling the bloom over the mandrel and power means situate behind the mandrel for feeding the same at least in part through the ierced. bloom; as set forth.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HENRY REINHARD. Witnesses:

CHARLES EDWARD Corn, HENRY HERBERT OLIVER. 

